Understanding Coolsculpture and CoolSculpting

Although it may have many names such as CoolSculpting, CoolSculpture and Fat Freeze, this cosmetic procedure is medically called Cryolipolysis and essentially eliminates unwanted fat cells by freezing them. There is no anaesthetic or downtime associated with the treatment and the controlled cooling targets and eliminate localised superficial fat. With over a million treatments performed, it’s proven to be safe and effective method of reducing stubborn fat.

So how does it all work?

Fat cells freeze at a higher temperature than other body cells, allowing the procedure to safely target these cells without damaging the surrounding skin and muscle cells. After a controlled dose of cooling, the fat cells freeze and crystallise. This disrupts their cell membrane and causes the cells to undergo a process called apoptosis (programmed cell death). Through this process, the fat cells die off and are cleared out by the body without leaving behind scar tissue.

Is Coolsculpture/ CoolSculpting right for me?

The process is most effective at reducing localised pockets of stubborn fat that are diet and exercise resistant. Ideal patients are on a healthy diet, exercise regularly and are within a few kilograms of their ideal body weight. Most patients that lead a healthy lifestyle understand that despite the work that they do on diet and exercise, there are still parts of their body that lose fat last – often the places that they wish were more sculpted. However, it’s not suitable for those who suffer from cryoglobulinemia or paroxysmal cold haemoglobinuria. Patients that are obese should consider weight loss through diet and exercise before embarking on body contouring procedures such as Coolsculpture/ CoolSculpting.

What does Medwest offer?

Like all treatments, we understand that everyone has different goals, time available for treatment and budgets. We will help you decide how to balance all of these factors to get a great result that you are proud of. If your treatment plan requires multiple sessions, these can be broken up into more manageable chunks of time for you. During your consultation, you will be assessed by one of our friendly staff who will customise a treatment plan for you and your concerns.

A treatment session involves the preparation and application of the treatment head to the unwanted area of fat. The target fat is then sucked in and cooled for a precise period of time. Patients feel pressure and intense cold for a few minutes but, like most cooling processes, the local nerves become less sensitive to the cold with time, so the feeling of discomfort disappears quickly. Patients then spend their time reading, using their mobile devices or even working on a laptop. At the end of a session the treated area is massaged for 2 minutes and a new area can begin treatment.

What does a CoolSculpting treatment feel like?

During the procedure, uncomfortable feelings that may be experienced include pulling, tugging, pinching and numbness. After treatment patients typically report redness, swelling, bruising, firmness, temporary numbness and tingling/stinging. Like all medical treatments rare (and more unpleasant) side effects can occur. All of this will be discussed with you during your pre-treatment consultation.

What is the recovery after CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting is completely non-surgical, so patients can return immediately to normal activities if they wish. Patients known to Medwest have gone back to work, out to dinner, out for a run straight after their treatment sessions. There are no scalpels, no needles, and no anaesthetic hangover.

How long does it take to see results from CoolSculpting?

Results usually begin to be visible at about 3 weeks, but become most evident after 2-3 months. Some areas (such as thighs) tend to improve for up to 6 months. Patients should expect a 20-25% reduction in fat thickness in a treatment area. The body will still continue to flush out dead fat cells for up to 6 months after a treatment. Like all medical procedures, the patient experience and result will vary between patients.

If an area requires multiple treatment sessions, we try to space them 1-2 months apart.

Like liposuction, CoolSculpting removes fat cells from a particular area. If the patient gains weight after a treatment, there will be proportionately less fat deposited in the areas that have been treated.

If you’ve decided Fat Freeze is right for you click below to book now.